Norman ale jug sells for $49,000 in UK auction

A Norman ale jug led the Fine Art sale at Hansons Auctioneers on September 28

An 800 year old ale jug dating to the Norman era sold for 30,000 ($48,691)at Hansons Auctioneers' Fine Art sale on September 28.

The item, which was discovered in an attic by the consignor, was described in the 19th century as "one of the most important and early medieval relics of the potters art ever discovered".

The jug was first discovered in 1862

The jug is decorated with horseshoe and buckle mouldings, symbols of the Ferrer family - the traditional landowners and residents of Duffield castle in Derbyshire. Ancestor Henry de Ferrer fought alongside William the Conqueror in the battle of Hastings.

It was discovered in 1862, in the land surrounding Duffield castle, by a labourer draining the field.

Elizabeth Bailey, a spokesperson for Hansons, commented: "the atmosphere in the saleroom was electric.

"Gasps rippled through the audience as the jug rose to 20,000, and once the hammer was down a round of applause for this fantastic Derbyshire object."

Other notable lots at the auction included a drawing by Salvador Dali, which achieved an impressive 11,500 ($18,661)against an estimate of 1,200-1,500 ($1,923-2,404) - an increase of 666%.

The artwork comes from the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's butler

It was drawn for Wallis Simpson in 1958 while the pair dined at the St Regis Hotel in New York, andfeatures a sketch of a man on horseback carrying a spear accompanied by the words "Affectueusement (Fondly) Dali".

The drawing was thengiven to the Duke and Duchess' butler, who brought it to auction.

A fragment of Richard III's flag from the Battle of Bosworth sold for 3,800 ($6,500).

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